"It's a very gruesome situation, a very sad scene," said director Julie Bank. "It's horrible that someone would just leave animals out there like that and we're hopefully going to get down to the bottom of it."

NewsChannel 4 was there as animal control officers brought the cages back to its office.

Workers pulled out two dozen cats -- three from the first crate, seven from the second crate, six from the third crate and eight from the final cage.

Based on the conditions of their bodies and the maggots in the cages, officers estimate the cats had been in the field for about a week.

"I can't imagine the pain and suffering during the time when those animals were left in there," said Bank. "It makes you angry to know that someone could treat an animal or multiple animals like that."

None of the cats had microchips, so officers are counting on the public to help.

"We hope that we will be able to find out who and why and what and why and honor the memory of those animals that now are left in a pretty gruesome situation," said Bank. "